Errors give way to big plays as Bears rally to beat Browns

Overcoming several big mistakes, the Bears came back to defeat the Browns 38-31 on Sunday afternoon in Cleveland.

The win gives the Bears (8-6) a half-game edge over Detroit in the NFC North pending the Lions’ Monday-night game against Baltimore.

In his return to the lineup, Bears quarterback Jay Cutler completed 22-of-31 passes for 265 yards and three touchdowns, with a pair of scoring throws in the final quarter.

Trailing 24-17 early in the fourth quarter, the Bears scored on three straight drives to seize control.

The first touchdown in the sequence — a 45-yard Cutler-to-Alshon Jeffery connection — was the most spectacular, as the Bears’ star second-year wideout caught the ball in-between two Browns defensive backs to tie the game with 10:59 left in regulation.

Browns safety Tashaun Gipson, who twice picked off Cutler earlier in the game, had a chance at a third interception on the long pass to Jeffery, but he appeared to misjudge the ball. He leaped for the pass, but it soared over him, and Jeffrey hauled it in to even the game at 24.

The Bears would take the lead for good on the next series, as Cutler connected with Earl Bennett on a four-yard touchdown with 5:41 left.

The Bears would add their final score a 40-yard TD run by Michael Bush with 2:17 in regulation. Cleveland (4-10) cut the margin to 38-31 with 59 seconds left on a Jason Campbell-to-Josh Gordon 43-yard touchdown, but the Bears would recover the ensuing on-side kick and run out the clock.

More than half of the Browns’ points came off of takeaways. Gipson returned one interception for a second-quarter touchdown, and his first-quarter pick set up Cleveland’s first field goal of the game. Later, a 51-yard TD return of a Martellus Bennett fumble by T.J. Ward gave the Browns a 24-17 third-quarter lead.

However, the Bears’ turnovers stopped there — and just in time for Chicago.

Until Cleveland fans realize that Greg Little and Davone Bess suck… they will be giving their front office an excuse to continue paying less for better receivers and average to below average quarterbacks who they (fans and front office) can blame for those receivers poor performance.

Cincinnati has the same issue with Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu (after having the same problem with Laveranues Coles, t.o., jerome simpson, andre caldwell).

As long as Cleveland fans ignore the receiver and blame the quarterbacks…. I feel no sympathy for their misery.

I like how Cutler showed the fans the difference between him and McCown right away, by throwing more picks in the first half than McCown had in five games. He still played well and won the game, so that’s what counts.

dino2997 says:
Dec 16, 2013 12:20 AM
Cutler definitely showed the difference between he and McCown by taking over the game in the 4th quarter and pulling off the win. Something that should have happened in the Rams and Vikings game.

You could say that Cutler would have won those games, or you could say that McCown, because of his mistake free play, would never have trailed against the Browns. I’m inclined to say that anybody with a brain would find the latter more believable.

I’m a Bears fan first and foremost. Sorry but McCown has only won 1 out of his last 3 starts against teams that don’t even have a winning record. That 1 win came against they very same team that Matt Flynn just torched yesterday. Mistake free play by the QB was OBVIOUSLY not getting it done.

1) You cannot run the football with out a true fullback.
2) You cannot throw the ball consistently if you cannot run the ball.
3) Never choose a QB at #22 (See Weeden/Quinn)
4) A QB doesn’t have to be a first rounder to be good, (Brian Sipe 13th round)
5) It takes 2 good wide outs to open the field completely
6) Your play calling should never have a 2 yard dump off option on 3rd and 6.
7) You should learn what works and stick with it, 2 zone read plays the Bears had no answer for, then back to little guys up the middle.
8) Do not sweat losing Ray Horton for a HC job, since his defense has collapsed in the 2nd half all year long.
9) You need to sign Ward and Mack, you have enough holes with out creating 2 more.
10) Your coaches should run plays that exploit the opponents weaknesses, not run plays because it is what you practice.
11) A possession receiver is required to catch the ball. Bess does not qualify.

The glaring difference between Marc Trestman’s approach to the game and Lovie Smith’s, from yesteryear, are very encouraging to me. I will be the first to admit, Trestman has had his moments of “are you kidding me” this year, but it’s part of the growing pains. Lovie Smith was stubborn and prideful and it affected his decision making, or lack thereof. Marc Trestman truly believes in the players he marches out onto the field and doesn’t panic or do something extreme when things go wrong. Both he and Lovie are cool looking as a cucumber during the game, but internally, Trestman is the real deal. I was happy when they brought him in here to coach the Bears and like what I’ve seen from him so far.